Falcons coach Mike Smith believes the league’s competition committee may look at expanding game-day rosters in the future after what happened to them in Minnesota.
After three offensive linemen were injured, the Falcons were forced to end the game with tight end Levine Toilolo playing right tackle. They only hand seven offensive lineman active on their 46-man game-day roster.
“This is the first time that I’ve been involved in a game (like that),” Smith said. “I can’t recall if I was on the other side of the field where it happened.”
Most teams carry seven or eight offensive linemen into games. The Falcons had tackle Ryan Schraeder and center guard James Stone inactive for the game.
“I think it’s may be something that can be looked at,” Smith said. “I know it’s something that the competition committee is always looking at.”
Toilolo had never played tackle before over his entire youth, college and professional career and was protecting the team’s $103 million investment in quarterback Matt Ryan.
“It was tough, but I thought our coaches did a very good job,” Smith said. “Levine did a very good job in terms of getting out there and performing well in a difficult situation.”
New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin took notice of the situation.
“I don’t think anybody wants that to happen,” Coughlin said. “I know it’s very rare in this league, but it did happen. I may have some thoughts on rosters, but not generally.”
Coughlin has another issue he’d like to see addressed.
“I think that perhaps where we ought to start is maybe with a little bit of help with people who have these Thursday night games,” Coughlin said.
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